NATIVE COMMUNITIES: This Is Not Our First Pandemic   Photo: Indigenous Representatives from around to world standing together to represent their respective communities. Photo provided by Sarah Ortegon   “Though tragic, it has also brought truth to light. Communities can create their own independent ecosystems of caring with food, housing, education, and health care for

NEWS: National Congress of American Indians Resolution Supporting Peacemaking The National Congress of American Indians will hold its annual convention, this year online, November 8-13.  This leading organization endorses the IPI, and has great things to say about peacemaking: “in the interests of protecting and promoting tribal sovereignty, strengthening Tribal governments, advancing Tribal self determination

NEWS: Spiritual Healing: A ‘More Hawaiian’ Way to Deal With Delinquent Kids Honolulu Pilot Presents a “More Hawai’ian” Way of Dealing with Juvenile Offenders. Intervention with traditional teachings means to address overrepresentation of Native Hawai’ian and Pacific Islanders in the juvenile justice system. This article is well worth the read. Please click here for the

APPLY NOW FOR THE LIFE COMES FROM IT GRANT The Life Comes From It grantmaking circle, supports “grassroots movement-building work rooted in lived experience and relationships for restorative justice, transformative justice, and indigenous peacemaking”. They are recruiting candidates to apply for their next round of funding. The grantmaking is intended to support (1) individual projects

NEWS: How to Cope with Triggered Trauma Memories Here is a nice resource for peacemakers (and the rest of us!) that can be helpful when memories of traumatic events get triggered. Some quick tips on self- care. Peacemakers can suggest them to participants having difficulties, or you can even keep it handy to help yourself

NEWS: Circle Peacemaking: A Timeless Practice Becomes Trendy Circle Peacemaking: A Timeless Practice Becomes Trendy, authored by Mike A Jackson, is a brief and comprehensive slideshow that was provided in a training on peacemaking by Mike Jackson, IPI Advisory Committee member and recognized leader of circle peacemaking across North America. To view the slideshow, please

NEWS: Federal Medicaid policy provides much-needed resources for Native communities IPI NARF Attorney Brett Lee Shelton, acting in his personal capacity, had an op-ed published in Indian Country Today. While not related to NARF business, it may be of interest.  Share if you’d like: https://indiancountrytoday.com/opinion/federal-medicaid-policy-provides-much-needed-resources-for-native-communities-lGCHt1iiNkmW9XV1M4bM-w

NEWS: JUSTICE VIGIL DELIVERS KEYNOTE ADDRESS AT BUILDING BETTER CHILD WELFARE COURTS TOGETHER SYMPOSIUM New Mexico Supreme Court Senior Justice Barbara Vigil gave the keynote address at Building Better Child Welfare Courts Together, an online symposium co-hosted by IPI online on July 30. Other IPI-related speakers included Brett Lee Shelton, Cheryl Fairbanks, Kevin Briscoe, Timothy

NEWS: What are Obstacles to Accountability? It is useful for peacemakers is knowing what those around the circle with you are going through.  This short video explains why people struggle with accountability- it’s hard work and uncomfortable, scary. Understanding can help you help them. Check out the video at the link, it’ll be worth your

NEWS: Why Tribes Should Have the Power to Enforce Strict Coronavirus Policies Matthew L.M. Fletcher is Professor of Law at Michigan State University College of Law and Director of the Indigenous Law and Policy Center. The Atlantic magazine just published Why Tribes Should Have the Power to Enforce Strict Coronavirus Policies, by Professor Matthew Fletcher

NEWS: ARTICLE ON EEOC PILOT PROGRAMS The article at this link: https://www.eeoc.gov/newsroom/eeoc-announces-pilot-programs-increase-voluntary-resolutions explains that the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has opened two pilot programs to help with alternative dispute resolution in employment discrimination cases. The mediation program expands the types of cases that may resolved with mediation, and also allows mediation to be

NEWS: UNIVERSITY OF DENVER CONFLICT RESOLUTION INSTITUTE BULLETIN The University of Denver Conflict Resolution Institute (CRI) (https://www.du.edu/conflictresolution/index.html) put out a bulletin a few weeks ago on Hearing and Listening to Stories of Injustice. It included a wealth of great resources assembled by CRI staff. Those are listed below, and you can sign up for CRI’s

NEWS: Families, Communities, Systems Need to Collaborate to Really Help Whole Child This article features quotes and more from IPI Advisory Committee member Cheryl D. Fairbanks, and Zuni/Navajo Peacemaker Christy Chapman. The article calls for changes to the child welfare legal system, and features peacemaking, and two other methodologies that derive from indigenous circle processes

NEWS: Hiawatha and the Peacemaker- A Book for Young (and ALL) Readers by Robbie Robertson This wonderful book tells the Iroquois story of Tadodaho, Hiawatha, and the Peacemaker, with historical references provided and with beautiful illustrations by David Shannon. Also included is a CD by the author, rock music legend and Mohawk and Cayuga Robbie

NEWS: Oxford Transitional Justice Research Group Seminar On Monday, May 25, 2020 IPI Staff Attorney Brett Lee Shelton and Advisory Committee Member Judge Tim Connors, as well as Michigan Law Professor Margaret Connors, all participated as guest speakers in a seminar forum on Peacemaking hosted by Advisory Committee Member Carson Smith from the prestigious University

NEWS: Taking Circles Online In the wake of COVID-19 concerns, some restorative justice programs have started to offer assistance online over conferencing platforms like Zoom and WebEx. While Peacemakers know that the experience cannot be the same as when you are in the same room together, there are still conflicts in need of addressing so